The first finding of a rhinoceros of the Genus Stephanorhinus in Arctic Asia.

The first skull of a rhinoceros of the genus Stephanorhinus has been found above the Arctic Circle on the middle Chondon River (Yakutia, Russia). This is the northernmost finding that extends significantly the genus range and provides additional information about the diet and environment of a genus representative. Plant remnants from the maxillary tooth cavities were identified as belonging to trees (Larix, Betula), shrubs (Ericaceae), mosses (Aulacomnium sp., Polytrichum sp.), herbs (Dicotyledones) and grasses (Poaceae), but not to sedges (Cyperaceae). The pattern of attrition of teeth and marks on the chewing surface enamel indicate diverse nourishment. Chondon rhinoceros lived in under Arctic-like climatic conditions, with rather limited food resources.

Hair microstructure of the first time found calf of woolly rhinoceros Coelodonta antiquitatis.

Hair microstructure of the first calf of the woolly rhinoceros Coelodonta antiquitatis found in Sakha in 2014 (the neck and hind leg hair) was examined by the light and electron scanning microscopy. The calf hair features were compared with those of two adults studied earlier. The calf coat color was much lighter than in adults, from pale ashy to blond. The extent of hair differentiation, dimensional and pigmentation indices were lower in the calf than in adult rhinoceroses. There was no medulla in the calf hairs, while in those of adults it was occasionally found. The cortical and cuticular layer microstructure was similar in all the animals compared. In both calf and adult hairs, there were traces of mechanical damage.

[Activation of cellular immunity in mice under normal conditions and in tumor growth during treatment with glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide]. / Aktivatsiia kletochnogo immuniteta u myshei v norme i pri opukholevom roste pod deistviem gliukozaminilmuramildipeptida.

In vitro stimulation of mice spleen cells by means of glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide (GMDP) was accompanied by development of tumor necrosis factor and of interleukin-I. The factor was detected in blood serum only after administration of GMDP simultaneously with lipopolysaccharide. GMDP activated peritoneal macrophages; the phenomenon was evaluated by means of the macrophages ability to kill tumoral cells P815 as well as by interleukin-I production after additional stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. At the same time, an increase in proliferating activity of spleen and bone marrow cells was observed. An increase of middle lifetime and recovery of 24% mice of C57BL/6 strain with leukosis EL-4 were observed after complex treatment of the animals with GMDP, lipopolysaccharide, cyclophosphane and indomethacin.